Entire City of Portland Should Boil Water After E. Coli Detected

Officials in Portland have told citizens to boil their water before using it, citing the E. coli found in the city's water supply.

Experts detected E. coli in three separate tests over a three-day period at the two nearby Mt. Tabor reservoirs, according to The Oregonian. The tests were meant to be routine but resulted in an Oregon Health Authority citywide boil notice that will affect wholesalers as well as 670,000 people.

The notice asks residents to boil water for at least one minute before using it to brush your teeth, cook, drink or any other uses. Tri-County Health Officer Dr. Paul Lewis said that the worst possible health consequence for ingesting the E. coli will be diarrhea.

The city alert also asked residents to throw out any ice cubes or food prepared with water on or after May 20, and said that filtering the water will not necessarily remove the E. coli.

The Water Bureau is looking into how the water became contaminated. Possible explanations include a busted pipe, relaxed water pressure or anything else that could result in the water supply's exposure to the outside world.

The boil notice will remain in effect until officials obtain a clean water sample.

Mashable
is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its dedicated and influential audience around the globe.